Detroit Tigers utility player Matt Vierling will start the season on the injured list. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch told reporters on Friday that the team is shutting down Vierling so he can deal with a strained rotator cuff in his right shoulder.

Tigers outfielder Matt Vierling has been diagnosed with a strained rotator cuff muscle and will not be available until after Opening Day, manager A.J. Hinch said before Friday’s Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

The Tigers announced this morning that third baseman/outfielder Matt Vierling has been diagnosed with a strained rotator cuff in his right shoulder. He will be shut down for a period of rest before being re-evaluated for baseball activities.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch told reporters on Friday that the team is shutting down Vierling so he can deal with a strained rotator cuff in his right shoulder. Though Vierling has spent the majority of his playing time in the outfield during his two seasons with the Tigers,

The Detroit Tigers' depth chart has been reshaped by injuries, prompting us to take a fresh look at how the Opening Day roster might come together. With Matt Vierling set to open the season on the injured list and Parker Meadows’ status uncertain,

With Matt Vierling (shoulder) and Meadows down, opportunity knocks for Wenceel Perez, Ryan Kreidler and several other non-roster invitees.

The Detroit Tigers, coming off an unbelievable 2024 campaign, were hoping to make major offseason improvements ahead of what they hoped would be an even better 2025 season. Sure, they added Jack Flaherty, Gleyber Torres and Tommy Kahnle, but Scott Harris was eyeing a major splash.